Family Caregiver Alliance - Strokehttps://caregiver.org/health-issue-or-illness/stroke
enWe Had Promised Each Other We Would Never Leave One Anotherhttps://caregiver.org/we-had-promised-each-other-we-would-never-leave-one-another
<div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">by caregiver Phyllis Lewis</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <p>For 3 years, it was forgetting just little things. He never thought anything about it as his job was very stressful. He had a mandatory work meeting down state which he went to. But he called me on the phone saying that he was lost, and that’s when I knew there was something wrong.</p>
<p>I found him on the side of the road; I had told him to park and stay in his car. We went home and he seemed fine for a while.</p>
<p>Then the girls that worked for him asked me to come in; they told me they were concerned about him. From then on I started going into his office. I answered all his phone calls, read all his e-mails to him; he was thrilled to death that I would go with him, and we did the outside work together. I took over driving him to all his appointments and he never missed a mandatory meeting. Then in March of 2013, his manager came to his office and told him the company had decided he needed to retire. The manager looked at me and said “You know he can’t run this office anymore.” My husband took it like a bucket of hot water being thrown on him.</p>
<p>As soon as his manager left he wanted to come home. This man went to bed and would not get out of bed other than going to the bathroom. From then on things went down-hill. On November 13th he had a mini stroke, followed by an aneurism on December 17<sup>th</sup>. He came home not the same person. He had lost control of his vitals and became totally dependent on me. I bathed him, changed his Depends and fed him because there was no one else to do this; I made sure he got his medicine, and sat up with him all night many times for three or four days at a time.</p>
<p>On June 9th he passed away from pneumonia, and God only knows how I miss him. We had promised each other we would never leave one another . . . my heart is totally broken, I miss him so much.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-progression-of-care field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above clearfix"><h3 class="field-label">Progression of Care: </h3><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0"><a href="/progression-care/caregiving-advanced-illness" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Caregiving with Advanced Illness</a></li><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-1"><a href="/progression-care/post-caregiving" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Post-Caregiving</a></li></ul></div><div class="field field-name-field-health-issue-or-illness field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above clearfix"><h3 class="field-label">Health Issue or Illness: </h3><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0"><a href="/health-issue-or-illness/dementia" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Dementia</a></li><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-1"><a href="/health-issue-or-illness/stroke" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Stroke</a></li></ul></div><div class="field field-name-field-caregiver-roles field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above clearfix"><h3 class="field-label">Caregiver Roles: </h3><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0"><a href="/caregiver-roles/primary-caregivers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Primary Caregivers</a></li></ul></div><div class="field field-name-field-special-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden clearfix"><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0"><a href="/special-topics/caregiver-wisdom" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Caregiver Wisdom</a></li></ul></div>Tue, 09 Sep 2014 00:48:58 +0000admin22904 at https://caregiver.orghttps://caregiver.org/we-had-promised-each-other-we-would-never-leave-one-another#commentsTransferring a Personhttps://caregiver.org/transferring-person
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <h2>Tips to help caregivers move or transfer a loved one with mobility limitations</h2>
<ul><li>Learn proper body mechanics. Ask for a Physical Therapy referral from your physician to teach you how to use your body so <u>you</u> don’t get hurt.</li>
<li>Save your back. If you feel a strain, get help; don’t do it alone. This is for your safety and the safety of the person you are trying to move. If you hurt your back, you aren’t going to be able to care for someone else.</li>
<li>Talk to the person and explain what you are doing and going to do. Talk through the process as you continue with the transfer, ask him/her to help you when able.</li>
<li>Make sure person’s legs are on the floor before trying to stand. Use a high, firm chair with arms whenever possible. It is easier to move someone from there than from a sofa or overstuffed chair.</li>
<li>If someone is in bed, first roll him/her to the side of the bed and help him/her to a sitting position with feet flat on the floor.</li>
<li>Stand with your feet shoulder width apart with one foot slightly in front of the other. This provides you with your base to support you and your loved one.</li>
<li>Bend at the knees, not the waist. Your knees will support you and save your back. Flex your knees and hips when lowering someone into a wheelchair, chair or bed, using the armrests for support when available.</li>
<li>Place your arms around the person’s waist. Do not have the person put his/her arms around your neck as that can pull you forward and cause you to loose your balance. If the person feels a need to hold on to something, have him/her put arms around your waist or on your shoulders.</li>
<li>Have your loved one lean forward before trying to stand. Use a rocking motion to create momentum, if possible. Let him/her know when you are going to start, e.g. you’re going to stand on the count of three. Bring the person as close to your body as you can.</li>
<li>To swivel someone, use your legs; these muscles are strong and can help you pivot. Do not twist at the waist. Take small steps, keep your back and neck in a straight line.</li>
<li>Learn to use assistive devices if appropriate, e.g. gait belt, transfer board, draw sheet, Hoyer lift.</li>
</ul></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-06-12T00:00:00-07:00">Thursday, June 12, 2014</span></div></div></div>Thu, 12 Jun 2014 22:03:35 +0000admin22498 at https://caregiver.orghttps://caregiver.org/transferring-person#commentsI Lost My Job But I Cannot Leave Him to Get Anotherhttps://caregiver.org/i-lost-my-job-i-cannot-leave-him-get-another
<div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">caregiver, Cheryl Knight</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <p>My husband and I were watching a movie, sitting on couch on a Saturday night. He said he was tired as I got up and went to the kitchen. Then he said "I have a tremendous headache," then held his hand on the left side of his face, saying "my face feels numb, funny" . . . then his head fell back. I tried to talk to him. He was screaming<em> "Oh no!"</em> I called 911.</p>
<p>He'd had a brain stem stroke, and the emergency room doctor said he might not ever wake up. I started reading the Bible to him and he moved his legs. Each day he got better; he opened eyes and I was never so happy in my life.</p>
<p>He's at home now, and I am his caregiver. He walks with a walker a little bit, but still his left side is paralyzed. I just pray each day he will walk through that door the tall, handsome man he was, once again! My heart breaks to see him in a wheelchair and we cry together a lot. I lost my job but I cannot leave him to get another. I do know that I need financial assistance, and for God to help me.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-progression-of-care field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above clearfix"><h3 class="field-label">Progression of Care: </h3><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0"><a href="/progression-care/daily-or-home-caregiver" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Daily or In-Home Caregiver</a></li></ul></div><div class="field field-name-field-health-issue-or-illness field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above clearfix"><h3 class="field-label">Health Issue or Illness: </h3><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0"><a href="/health-issue-or-illness/stroke" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Stroke</a></li></ul></div><div class="field field-name-field-caregiver-roles field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above clearfix"><h3 class="field-label">Caregiver Roles: </h3><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0"><a href="/caregiver-roles/primary-caregivers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Primary Caregivers</a></li></ul></div><div class="field field-name-field-special-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden clearfix"><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0"><a href="/special-topics/caregiver-wisdom" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Caregiver Wisdom</a></li></ul></div>Wed, 11 Jun 2014 22:11:08 +0000admin22495 at https://caregiver.orghttps://caregiver.org/i-lost-my-job-i-cannot-leave-him-get-another#commentsIt Beats You Down, Burns You Out, Worries You to Death, and Never Stops https://caregiver.org/it-beats-you-down-burns-you-out-worries-you-death-and-never-stops
<div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">by Camille Hyatt ( Monroeville)</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <p><em>Hello everyone! I am new to this site but not new to caregiving. This may be a little long, but I encourage you to read it. I encourage you because I know that you can relate to everything that I am going to say.....</em></p>
<p>I've been taking care of my husband for 20 years now, worked full-time as a legal assistant and raised three wonderful children who are ages 20, 22 and 23. JUST HOW DO WE DO IT ALL? I believe you do what you have to do when you have to do it. You get through it. You have to. Someone's life depends on it. Your family's life depends on it. That's a whole lot of pressure!</p>
<p>My husband contracted Hep C in Vietnam, then 20 years later he went into liver failure, followed by a liver transplant, then a kidney transplant, then throat cancer and two more surgeries, a mini stroke resulting in seizures, then a serious car accident as a result of a seizure while driving, necrosis of hip, fractured vertebra (more surgery), diabetes . . . and everything in between. He is on so many meds it is hard to count—including some heavy duty morphine. He has now developed demetia from the seizures.</p>
<p>We surely have been through a lot together—not just him—but me and my children as well. They were 1, 2 and 3 years old when it all started. At the very beginning of his health issues, I would sit at the hospital and listen to other patients tell me that their spouse had left them because of their health. You know, at the time, I just didn't get it. Why would someone just get up and leave their loved one (spouse) when they needed them most? Well, now I know. They either (a) just couldn't handle the "burden" or (b) were being selfish. We don't have to do this. We can just walk away. Right? But how can you live with yourself? I know I couldn't. And here I am, 20 years later, stressed out, burned out, overwhelmed just as much—or more—than I was at the beginning. But I know one thing: my husband is also here, spending time with our children and me. It may not be the best quality of life time but he is still with us. And that, I am very thankful for!</p>
<p>I've found out one thing—really, a lot of things about caregiving. Caregiving is one of the most (if not <em>the</em> most), stressful "jobs" on this earth. It is an emotional roller coaster. It beats you down, burns you out, worries you to death, and never stops. It can be very depressing, it makes you angry and resentful. It is totally overwhelming, from beginning to end. It changes your whole world, your life. Especially if it is your spouse. You start losing your best friend, your soul mate, your lover, your husband, the man you used to know. You start losing yourself. And yet, it never ends - this roller coaster of a life. I have a quote that I found and try to abide by it. It goes like this: "Wake up each day and be thankful for all of the good things in your life; concentrate on the positive, not the negative; and this will get you through even your worst days."</p>
<p>I am hoping that this "quote" helps some of you out there as well. We all have a big responsibility on our shoulders but yet we don't walk away. We all should be very proud of ourselves! We have basically given up most of our hopes and dreams that we had with our spouses in "growing old together." We have basically given up our lives to "care" and to "fight" for someone else's life . . . and that should be rewarding in and of itself! So, you see, despite all the ups and downs of this roller coaster we are on, it truly can be a rewarding experience. My husband is living proof of it!!</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-progression-of-care field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above clearfix"><h3 class="field-label">Progression of Care: </h3><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0"><a href="/progression-care/caregiving-advanced-illness" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Caregiving with Advanced Illness</a></li></ul></div><div class="field field-name-field-health-issue-or-illness field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above clearfix"><h3 class="field-label">Health Issue or Illness: </h3><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0"><a href="/health-issue-or-illness/cancer" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Cancer</a></li><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-1"><a href="/health-issue-or-illness/dementia" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Dementia</a></li><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-2"><a href="/health-issue-or-illness/stroke" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Stroke</a></li></ul></div>Sat, 01 Feb 2014 02:38:18 +0000admin22219 at https://caregiver.orghttps://caregiver.org/it-beats-you-down-burns-you-out-worries-you-death-and-never-stops#commentsCaregiver Wisdom: Emotional Care + Physical Carehttps://caregiver.org/caregiver-wisdom-emotional-care-physical-care
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <p><a href="http://www.caregiver.org" target="_blank" title="FCA website home">Family Caregiver Alliance</a></p>
<p>The first Year after I started caring for my wife (two strokes at age 39 and 43 yrs) at home I thought that she was the same person I knew before the issues occurred. I would become angry with her for “doing this to me”, when, in fact, she wasn’t doing anything consciously.</p>
<p>I have since apologized many times to her. She’s still not recovered by a long shot. In point of fact, I will most likely have a 12 year old wife for the remainder of my, or her, life. Still, I have not prepared as many meals, though I do it 3 times a day, as she prepared for me prior to the Issues that occurred. I have not cleaned the house as many times, washed dishes as many times, so we are not close to even yet. She did this all for me without being asked. It is the least I can do to repay the favor. At some point, after that first year, I realized that “her” mental state parroted “my” mental state. So, if I chose to look at this as if she “did it to me”, she too would look at it that way. When I stopped having that frame of mind, she began to improve a great deal.</p>
<p>Now, I realize, she’s never going to recover, but it is so much easier to do this work with someone who is not afraid that anything they do and can’t control is going to create a loud and aggressive response from me! Knowing that the response will not be so “loud and aggressive” has effected her mood and her actions incredibly. It has all but cured her incontinence, it has reduced the number of seizures she has from the Seizure Condition I didn’t mention earlier. It has caused her to be much “happier” and less “fearful” of the consequences of what she cannot control. In short, I learned that a Caregiver has to give “Emotional Care” as well as “Physical Care”.</p>
<p>The result I have witnessed is as I mentioned is not for her, but, for me, I’m in a better state of mind, more relaxed, more in control. And, since her good mood helps make the Caregiving easier, I’m more rested. Amazing what not having to do two loads of laundry each day will do for YOUR mood.</p>
<p>The point is, much of the “stress of Caregiving” can be self-inflicted if one does not learn to maintain a positive attitude. (Don’t get me wrong, there are still times I’m frustrated and want to explode, but now, at those time I go outside for a few minutes and just calm down, and think that she didn’t do this to herself or me “intentionally”! No one would.</p>
<p><em>- Reid, family caregiver</em></p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2012-08-07T00:00:00-07:00">Tuesday, August 7, 2012</span></div></div></div>Mon, 06 Jan 2014 16:13:18 +0000admin22073 at https://caregiver.orghttps://caregiver.org/caregiver-wisdom-emotional-care-physical-care#commentsNo Longer a Daughter or a Son, But a Caretakerhttps://caregiver.org/no-longer-daughter-or-son-caretaker
<div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">by caregiver, Hattie F. (Calhoun, GA)</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://caregiver.org/sites/caregiver.org/files/Hattie_Mom_Grandsons_1.9.2014.jpg" width="650" height="250" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <p>My name is Hattie and in 2003 my mother had a massive stroke which left her paralyzed on her left side. It was by the grace of God that I took my three boys to see her that day―when we got there the boys ran in to see her first and came running out saying she had fallen, because she was on the floor. I ran in to the house and when I rolled her over onto her side I knew right away what had happened because her face was drawn. I called 911 and she was rushed to the hospital. That was the worst day of my life.</p>
<p>But I thank God that he led me to go that day and not the next because she would have died. I have been her care taker going on 11 years now; unfortunately, she was not able to regain any use back to her arm and leg and the stroke cause a lot of mental issues as far as anxiety, depression and OCD. But she is doing great and I Thank God that I am the one caring for her. She went to a nursing home for two years and she had just come back home.</p>
<p>It was torture having to put her in the nursing home but I'm glad I did. Sometimes when you take care of someone for so long you lose yourself; you no longer are a daughter or a son you’re a caretaker. So, with her going in for a while, it gave us both time to realize what we need to work on to make it work better. I know now that it is important for me to have "me time," to separate myself with a hobby or activity away from her and my kids for a few hours a week. You have to take care of yourself physically and mentally in order to care properly for your loved one.</p>
<p>When she first had her stoke, everything was left up to me. I had very little help from family and I felt like I was all alone because I didn't know of all the programs that are out there to help. It was very stressful taking care of a bedridden mother and four children (I was only 23 years old!), but now, as I look back, I wouldn't have chosen any other path for my life. I’m very thankful for the opportunity I have to spend with her everyday.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-health-issue-or-illness field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above clearfix"><h3 class="field-label">Health Issue or Illness: </h3><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0"><a href="/health-issue-or-illness/stroke" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Stroke</a></li></ul></div><div class="field field-name-field-caregiver-roles field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above clearfix"><h3 class="field-label">Caregiver Roles: </h3><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0"><a href="/caregiver-roles/primary-caregivers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Primary Caregivers</a></li></ul></div>Tue, 10 Dec 2013 01:34:39 +0000admin22050 at https://caregiver.orghttps://caregiver.org/no-longer-daughter-or-son-caretaker#commentsIn My Family, It’s What We Dohttps://caregiver.org/my-family-it%E2%80%99s-what-we-do
<div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Caregiver, Angie Watters</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://caregiver.org/sites/caregiver.org/files/AngieMom_1.16.13.jpg" width="650" height="250" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <p>When I was in the fourth grade, my mom retired from her high-powered position in order to stay home with me. She became a “bake cookies, go to the PTA meeting, host the girl scout meeting” kind of mom who never said no to anyone who needed help. She was all about others and never about herself. </p>
<p>When I grew up, Mama became my best friend. She was the one I called to talk to about everything and about nothing. She spoiled our kids rotten and giggled while she did it. She was selfless and her grandchildren were her world. That’s the mama I remember. </p>
<p>The unthinkable happened and Daddy was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2008. Mama was terrified, depressed, and anxious and unable to cope, so both she and Dad became dependent on me to take them to doctors’ appointments and interpret our treatment options and help them make decisions and manage their affairs. In March of that year, Daddy underwent a 12-hour surgery to remove as much of the tumor from his brainstem as possible, which was almost, but not all of it. He spent the next three months in the hospital relearning how to speak, swallow, and walk again and I spent the rest of his life helping mom take care of him. I learned how to feed him through a stomach tube and how to read a radiological swallow study to see if he could safely swallow. Then he had almost two years of radiation and chemo. Dad also developed other problems after the tumor including a perforated bowel, which almost took his life. Over time, however, he slowly improved and was gradually getting back to something approaching “normal” when we realized something else was wrong.</p>
<p>Somewhere in the middle of Dad’s recovery, Mama’s stroke happened; we’re not even sure when. As months went by, things just seemed off. We knew something was wrong, but weren’t sure what. After more doctor appointments that I can even remember, we had several diagnoses, one of which was vascular dementia. That’s when I realized, I was losing her.</p>
<p>One of the unique symptoms of her dementia wasn’t so much memory loss as it was personality change. It was gradual, but over time, she changed. Her world narrowed, her selflessness seemed to wane, her focus turned inward, and her mind grew forgetful as she became unable to do things like drive, or balance a checkbook, or manage her own medications, or even cook a meal and Daddy and I had to do all those things for her. If you only met mama in recent years, you may have thought her selfish, isolated, and eccentric. And you’d be right. But that’s the disease, not the person. And that’s not the mama I remember. </p>
<p>Then when Daddy died on December 14, 2011 following what was to have been a routine, low-risk surgery, Mama’s world completely shifted on its axis and instantly, I had to take on the role of sole caregiver for Mom and in essence, became an instant parent to my own mother. Literally, the day Daddy died I had to take Mama home and dig out all her prescriptions and figure out what she needed to take that day. That very day, I had to figure out how to give her the weekly injection she needed for her rheumatoid arthritis. I’d never injected anyone or anything before. I had to take over paying all the bills, organizing all her medical care, grocery shopping, and providing her meals. There was no one else, and it was now my role alone. I was her sole caregiver and financial and medical power of attorney. Instantly. </p>
<p>Her last three months were spent at an assisted living center which she affectionately came to call “the club.” Those months gave me a tiny glimpse of the mama I DO remember. She became more outgoing with people again; she started to care about others again and enjoy doing things for others again; thinking about others again. She became more active, going to dinner on the bus with her new friends, participating in activities, and joining others for three square meals a day. Later, she helped make the leis and grass skirts for a luau at “The club” and even danced the hula at the party. </p>
<p>People think that the caregiver gets a major reprieve when their parent moves into assisted living. They do help, but major reprieve? No. As mom’s primary caregiver, I was still responsible for her and the assisted living center was just that – assisting. I was still on call 24/7 of every day. I never turned my phone off – ever. I still drove her everywhere she needed to go, paid her bills, kept her tiny pantry stocked with snacks, and managed her medical care. A caregiver lives life at “red alert",” always waiting for “the call” that will change everything and not for the better.</p>
<p>I’d expected to get a call that mama was sick, and we’d need hospice. But the call I got wasn’t that she was ill, it was that she was dead. She apparently suffered a major heart attack and died almost instantly. She was found by one of the assisted living staff who went to get her for breakfast. And just like that, my days of caregiving were over. Except there was an aftermath.</p>
<p>There is too much red tape to die. I’d dealt with all of it when Dad died and again, when Mom died. In fact, I’m still dealing with Mom’s affairs and will for the next 12 months if my first experience repeats itself. I wouldn’t change anything in the world about being my parents’ caregiver. In my family, it’s what we do. We just DO IT. But that doesn’t mean it was easy but I did it, not through my strength, but through Christ who gave me His strength.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="/sites/caregiver.org/files/AngiesParents_Montage_0.jpg" style="width: 576px; height: 144px;" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-health-issue-or-illness field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above clearfix"><h3 class="field-label">Health Issue or Illness: </h3><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0"><a href="/health-issue-or-illness/brain-tumor" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Brain Tumor</a></li><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-1"><a href="/health-issue-or-illness/dementia" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Dementia</a></li><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-2"><a href="/health-issue-or-illness/stroke" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Stroke</a></li></ul></div><div class="field field-name-field-caregiver-roles field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above clearfix"><h3 class="field-label">Caregiver Roles: </h3><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0"><a href="/caregiver-roles/primary-caregivers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Primary Caregivers</a></li></ul></div>Thu, 05 Dec 2013 10:30:46 +0000admin20030 at https://caregiver.orghttps://caregiver.org/my-family-it%E2%80%99s-what-we-do#commentsWe Were Worried About the Falls . . .https://caregiver.org/we-were-worried-about-falls
<div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">by caregiver, Sandra Small (Carson City, NV)</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <p>My mother was 81 and living alone. She began to fall frequently, and had other health issues. My husband suggested that she move in with us so she would not be alone, and someone would always be there if she fell—we were worried about the falls. At the time she was able to care for herself and do normal tasks.</p>
<p>She moved in with us in February and my husband passed away in March. It was a shock and I am still grieving. My mother did very well for several months, but she began to have severe episodes of dizziness. She could not stand, she had nausea frequently, and could no longer drive. Her doctor could find nothing that could be causing the problem. Eight months after my husband's death mom had a fall and her hip was broken. She had surgery within a few hours but had a stroke during or soon after surgery. She cannot walk, her speech is slurred, she cannot think of words and her memory has become poor. This is how I became a caregiver.</p>
<p>I am her sole caregiver 24/7. I have absolutely no help. I am isolated, depressed, and exhausted. I don't know where to turn to get relief. I did get an ADT emergency button for her so I can at least go to the store without having to beg for someone to come sit with her. I never in my life thought that being able to go to the store would be the highlight of my week.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-progression-of-care field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above clearfix"><h3 class="field-label">Progression of Care: </h3><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0"><a href="/progression-care/daily-or-home-caregiver" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Daily or In-Home Caregiver</a></li></ul></div><div class="field field-name-field-health-issue-or-illness field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above clearfix"><h3 class="field-label">Health Issue or Illness: </h3><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0"><a href="/health-issue-or-illness/stroke" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Stroke</a></li></ul></div><div class="field field-name-field-caregiver-roles field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above clearfix"><h3 class="field-label">Caregiver Roles: </h3><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0"><a href="/caregiver-roles/primary-caregivers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Primary Caregivers</a></li></ul></div>Sat, 16 Nov 2013 02:20:23 +0000admin7893 at https://caregiver.orghttps://caregiver.org/we-were-worried-about-falls#commentsAoA Announces Availability of Approximately $2.25 Million for Lifespan Respite Care Programshttps://caregiver.org/aoa-announces-availability-approximately-225-million-lifespan-respite-care-programs
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <h1 align="center">AoA Announces Availability of Approximately $2.25 Million for Lifespan Respite Care Programs</h1>
<h2 align="center">The deadline to apply is June 7, 2010</h2>
<p>
</p><p>The U.S. Administration on Aging is announcing the availability of approximately $2.25 million for implementation of the requirements of the Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006. These projects will enable states to establish, enhance or expand Lifespan Respite Care systems, including new and planned emergency respite services, training and recruitment of respite workers and volunteers and assist caregivers with gaining access to needed respite services.</p>
<p>Under the 2010 "Lifespan Respite Care Program" announcement, AoA will award approximately ten to fifteen grants to states with federal funding up to $200,000 each for three-year project periods. AoA will fund projects that propose to serve all eligible respite recipients, including family members, foster parents, or other adults providing unpaid care to adults needing care to meet basic daily needs or prevent injury and to children who require care beyond that required to meet their basic needs. Over the course of these projects, states will work to expand and enhance respite care services to family members; improve the statewide dissemination and coordination of respite care; and provide, supplement, or improve access and quality of respite care services to family caregivers, thereby reducing family caregiver strain.</p>
<p>This is a limited grant competition. Awards will only be made to eligible state agencies who: administer the states program under the Older Americans Act of 1965; or administer title XIX of the social Security Act; or are designated by the Governor of the state to administer the State's programs under this title who are an aging and disability resource center working in collaboration with a state respite coalition or organization, AND who are not currently funded under the Lifespan Respite Care Program.</p>
<p><b>The closing date for applications for this announcement is Monday, June 7, 2010. The deadline for submission of a letter of intent to apply for funding is Friday, May 7, 2010</b>. Letters should be submitted by facsimile or e-mail to Greg Link at <a href="mailto:greg.link@aoa.hhs.gov">greg.link@aoa.hhs.gov</a> or (202) 357-3558 (Fax). To learn more about this opportunity, please visit <a href="http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Grants/Funding/index.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Grants/Funding/index.aspx</a>.</p>
</div></div></div>Thu, 03 Oct 2013 01:06:20 +0000support3023 at https://caregiver.orghttps://caregiver.org/aoa-announces-availability-approximately-225-million-lifespan-respite-care-programs#commentsIs Heaven Wheelchair-Accessible?https://caregiver.org/heaven-wheelchair-accessible
<div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">by Thomas King</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <p>One of the hardest things about life is recognizing its various parts. I mean, we never really notice pregnant women until our wife becomes one, or the plight of the handicapped until we break an ankle or leg, and crutches help us see more clearly.</p>
<p>Ten years after my mother's stroke, my own vision regarding just how tough it is to be handicapped is still taking shape. The physical problems of stroke victims have been well documented. However, these are compounded by the physical restrictions of society. The retail stores, apartments, public buses, etc. with no access for wheelchairs.</p>
<p>My mother wanted simply to enter one such store here in San Francisco but the doorway entrance was too narrow, blocked by rows of sale items. The owner gave a patronizing smile and said, "Sorry, no wheelchairs." What about mothers? Aren't they allowed? And why is he sorry - he knowingly breaks the law and he's sorry? It's like the Klan apologizing before burning a black church.</p>
<p>I was on a bus last week and nobody - NOBODY - would offer their seat to a blind man with his dog. An "Information Age" with the wrong information. Haven't seen many handicapped kids on MTV lately either. Or in Vogue, or Playboy. Or at Macy's. There's plenty of primetime murder and adultery, but nobody wants to see the effects of a televised stroke or illness. Mortality, or at least human pain and suffering, is just not sexy, I suppose.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-health-issue-or-illness field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above clearfix"><h3 class="field-label">Health Issue or Illness: </h3><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0"><a href="/health-issue-or-illness/stroke" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Stroke</a></li></ul></div>Mon, 09 Sep 2013 23:05:33 +0000support439 at https://caregiver.orghttps://caregiver.org/heaven-wheelchair-accessible#comments